More three dozen participate in Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

Modified: Monday, Feb 11th, 2013BY: KARA GUTORMSON

On Saturday, 38 people bravely plunged into Ravine Lake’s icy water and raised money for Special Olympics at the third annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The total amount raised was over $16,000.
At jump time, the air temperature was 37 degrees and the water was 36 degrees. Members of the Beadle County Dive Team Randy Hoscheid, Justin Picek and Mark Chamberlain were on hand to help people out of the water and make sure the event was carried out safely. Nathan Benjamin of the Huron Police Department won the costume contest with his blue man outfit. Costume judges were Huron Chief of Police Gary Will Jr., Huron City Commissioner Mark Robish and Jennifer Schroder of Schroder Chiropractic. PHOTOS BY KARA GUTORMSON/PLAINSMAN

HURON — On Saturday, 38 people bravely plunged into Ravine Lake’s icy water and raised money for Special Olympics at the third annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The total amount raised was over $16,000.

Organizers cut through 21-inch-thick ice to make a wide rectangle for the participants to jump into. The water was about waist high, and the jumpers were encouraged to dunk their whole bodies under water. At jump time, the air temperature was 37 degrees and the water was 36 degrees. Members of the Beadle County Dive Team Randy Hoscheid, Justin Picek and Mark Chamberlain were on hand to help people out of the water and make sure the event was carried out safely.

Captain Dan Kight of the Huron Police Department started Huron’s Polar Plunge three years ago.

“I saw that we had a need for this event because the Huron area was without one,” he said. “This money helps our Special Olympics athletes. When they compete in these events, the families end up having to pay for the expenses. It means a lot for the athletes and their families to be able to have the right equipment and pay for travel expenses incurred.”

Kight said the event is “a way for the department to give back to the community.” Next year Kight would like to see a higher turnout, more local schools participating and at least $25,000 raised.

Todd Bradwisch, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Liason for Special Olympics, said that half of the money raised will stay locally to benefit Special Olympics in the Huron area and the other half will go to the state Special Olympics fund.

“The local law enforcement worked hard to make this happen,” said Bradwisch. “We have the Huron Police Department, the sheriff’s department, the Highway Patrol and the Jerauld County Sheriff here, all supporting this event.”

Bradwisch announced that in 2013, the South Dakota Law Enforcement Torch Run will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. “The first law enforcement torch run only raised $1,000,” he said. “But in 2012, the same dedicated group of law enforcement officers across the state raised $561,000 for the South Dakota Special Olympics program. This year’s goal is to raise over $600,000.”

Nathan Benjamin of the Huron Police Department won the costume contest with his blue man outfit. Costume judges were Huron Chief of Police Gary Will Jr., Huron city commissioner and public safety commissioner Mark Robish and Jennifer Schroder of Schroder Chiropractic.